THE WALTER & BETTY WARD FAMILY Y IN ABINGDON CELEBRATES TEN YEARS

Center celebrates with free community event June 15, 2017

The Y in Central Maryland is celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Walter & Betty Ward Family Y in Abingdon, which first opened in 2007 as a 30,000-square-foot Y Center and expanded in 2013 to 50,000 square feet. A hub of Y programs and services in Harford County, the Y now reaches over 15,000 children and adults in the County, up from 3,700 in 2007 when the center first opened.

The Y has a rich history in Harford County including 20 years of youth development programming including sports, camp, preschool, and before and after school enrichment programs. The opening of the Center allowed the Y to considerably expand its services and reach more people of all ages and backgrounds.

Today, the Ward Y in Abingdon has more than 12,000 members and includes two pools, a climbing wall, family room, fitness floor, group exercise and multi-purpose space and more.  Volunteerism and other mission-driven charitable opportunities and services are also facilitated by this Center including free swim lessons for children whose families could otherwise not afford them, and, in 2016 alone, community volunteers raised more than $244,000 in financial aid to help more than 1,100 families and individuals in Harford County access Y memberships and programming.

“Thanks to the Walter and Betty Ward family, the Y has had a tremendous impact on the Harford County community over the last decade, helping to give us a solid foundation for continued investment in the health and well-being of County children, families, adults and seniors, said John Hoey, president and CEO of the Y in Central Maryland. “We would not be able to build a healthier community and reach as many people as we do without their generous support.”

The Y will celebrate the Center’s 10^th anniversary by opening its doors to the community all day on Thursday, June 15. Community members are invited to visit the center and sample its many offerings, including its pools, family play areas, gym, exercise equipment and fitness classes. A formal program will be held at 5 p.m. with senior executives from the Y, County Executive Barry Glassman, Harford County Council President Richard Slutzky and Councilmen Curtis Beulah, James McMahan and Mike Perrone and Chad Shrodes.

For more information about the anniversary celebration, please contact Suzanne Green at suzannegreen@ymaryland.org or 410-679-9622.